Just regular folks.

After several days stay in Ft. Lauderdale, we arrived at Portland late last night yesterday. We are sighting seeing for a couple of days here with Big Brother and Sister. Then we are heading to Vancouver, BC on 6th to drop them the airport for Hong Kong on 9th. And we will come back here on the same day to catch our flight to Denver, CO.

In Florida, we had airboat ride and visited Everglade National Park. Next year during fall, we may organize some family get together in Singapore. May tour Australia. Just maybe.

Well, promptly after I finished knitting my first sock ever, I was hit with the dreaded second sock disease which prevented me from picking up those DPNs and starting the 2nd sock. Actually the second sock disease was caused by a bum thumb which in turn was caused by another debilitating disease that I have called “internet addiction“. Jeremy had just purchased me a brand new laptop and the way I hook my thumb around the case as I scour for new and interesting web sites for hours while neglecting to feed my children made my thumb all weak in the knees.

Anyways, my thumb is better now and I’m working away on my 2nd sock and I’m slowly realizing that the first sock that I’ve been so proud of these (two) months has been knitted incorrectly! Should I take apart the first sock or should I just let bygones be bygones and get on with my life?

Vince’s favorite words these days. Sigh.

We are slowly running out of things to do in Singapore. There is pretty much just shopping and eating and we are trying to avoid both of these enjoyable activities mainly because of the kids and their hatred of shopping malls which don’t have a toy store and restaurants which don’t serve Ribena or chicken nuggets.

Today we traveled to the famed Chinese Gardens which according to the Lonely Planet Guide isn’t worth the MRT trip from downtown to see. I guess you should just spend more of your time in downtown eating and shopping. Housed inside the Gardens is the world’s largest collection of turtles and turtle artifacts. We did see a lot of turtles – even one with two heads and 6 legs. There were also a lot of turtle “artifacts” which seemed to be all the turtle-shaped things you could buy on eBay.

Oh and I thought the picture is funny because it’s what Vince always says when introducing Edda.

I am alone in my house. Well it technically isn’t true – the dog is here and so are the fish. But everyone else is on an adventure. I am luxuriating in the silence.

Today, everyone was feeling better and we went to Palau Ubin for our adventure. We called a London taxi and all of us piled in, Vince sitting in the jump seat. Palau Ubin is an island about 10 minutes from Singapore by bum boat. We chartered a boat for S24 and went to the island. We went to lunch at this non-airconditioned place, and the lunch was really, really good. Lots of choice for the vegetarians and then afterwards we went biking on the island in rented bikes. Then we went to Raffles City to have ice cream and buy some clothes for Edda. We met up with Donald who came back from Malaysia this afternoon and had dinner together. Tonight we tried to go out on a date, but Edda and Vince thwarted it and instead we bought some Korean soap opera.

Another quiet post-Xmas day here in Singapore. Vince is still running a fever and Edda is still fussy and Katherine is dripping from her nose. Donald spent the day out and about with a friend of his. Jeremy and Bob went downtown to shop for pants/books/ravioli.

So today, Katherine and Vincie weren’t feeling very well and Edda has been teething pretty badly, so we cancelled our trip to KL. Instead, we hung out around home and relaxed.

Your personal ruling planets are Saturn and Neptune.

You are ruled by the mythical God, Neptune, which describes your nature most adequately. Just like the vast ocean you are restless, moody and fond of change and travel. You love the water and places connected with the sea. You possess unusual and original ideas on religion and philosophy. It means your compassion has risen to sublime heights and you will do anything for a person in need. In this respect, you must learn to balance your own needs lest you become a victim of the people you are trying to help.

You have strong psychic abilities that relate to the water element and you can use this talent, not only to your own advantage, but helping others as well. All of the healing and helping professions are well suited to your nature.

Your main lessons are to learn to take better care of your material life so as to enjoy your future fully.

Your lucky colours are the darker green shades.

Your lucky gems are turquoise, cats eye chrysoberyl, tigers eye.

Your lucky days of the week are Mondays and Thursdays.

Your lucky numbers and years of important change are 7 , 16, 25, 34, 43, 52, 61, 70, 79.

Famous people born on your birthday include Clara Barton, Rod Sterling, Helena Christensen, Dido Armstrong and Mariama Goodman.

After 7 day cruise, we are back in Los Angeles